Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-12-09
CISSY'S DUCKS.
BY LILLIAN L. PRICE,

The morning sun peeped into the win
dow and shone right into Cissy's eyes.
She blinked drowsily once or twice, and
then, sitting up suddenly, gazed about
her with wondering looks.
'My but this is a fine place, she said,
softly. ga real bed"-patting tia
wnder with tree, strip of carpet and
hull wash bowlm
Then she jumped up and began the
novel occupation of making her toilet
with such luxurious accessories as a wash
basin, soap, towels and cool water.
A bird outside began a sweet, thrilling
song. Cissy dropped the comb, which
she had been cycling admiringly, and
Sprang to the open window.
"Ncver a cage nor nuthin'w she ejacu-
lated, in the same soft, surprised tones.
"Sittin' up there and singin real tune1
Amt this splendidW
Having used the soap with unusual
lavishnees, Cissy entered Miss Keziah's
presence with very shining face and
awkward, timid steps.
The sun shone through two open doors
and flooded the white table, laid tempt
ingly for breakfast; kettle sang roisily
to itself on the highly polished stove; a
great gray cat arose from one of the vel
low, wooden chairs and gaped very
widely at Cissy. Then Miss Kezah laid
down the paper and adjusted her spec
tacles.
Nov, come over here, Cissy," she
said, in crisp, but pleasant voice, "and
let me see you by daylight"
Thus summoned for inspection, Cissy
stood, a little, shrinking figure, clad in
a rusty black dress sadly in need of but
tons and lacking a goodly number of
stitches. Her hair hung in straight,
dripping locks down her back, and her
poor little feet stood meekly together in
one shoe and one slipper, both too large.
Law save u.s." exc aimed Miss Keziah,
eyng her o'cr. "Where'd you get that
rig, childW
(which rig2" inquired Cissy, lifting
her small white face in quick alarm.
"Why those clothes!" shifted Miss
ieLiah.
"Oh Folks gave 'em to me mostly.
They ain'tnicc, but they's all had. Tom
always said he'd buy me a new dress
some day, but we often didn't git enough
to cat-we two.
"Who's TOMB"
Cues my brother. He went to the
Mission Chapel and he got a ticket, so
he come round to Mrs. Gallagher's
where tended baby for my keep, aud he
says: 'Cissy, this Fresh Air Fun is Jest
the fun fer you, and I'll git yc another
place when We come back But Mrs.
Gallagher said I looked so spindlin'
could go and she'd take me again. "
Cissy faltered more than once as she
encountered Miss Keziah's clear gaze.
"WelI, John,' said that lady as a
shadow fell across the floor and her
brother entered, II did say I'd never be
bothered with those Fresh Air children,
but l am thankful l broke my word.
You can just hitch up after breakfast and
fetch me some sixpenny calico"
John smiled, and Cissy felt somewhat
treasured.
You spoke of q Mission Chapel, >
said Miss Keziah as she poured the coffee.
"Did you ever go thcre2"
"Yes'm; once, with Tom, replied
Cissy. GA lady told us about an awfu
meek man who broke up some stone
books when he got mad"
snow, John, rsaid Miss Kcziah, crack
ing her egg with unnecessary vigor
"such ignorance is a crying shame!
"Cissy,' said John, "what is a meel
man?"
"a meek man," replied Cissy, will
great seriousness, sis one who has oil OF
his face"
"Ithink you are quite right, Keziah,
remarked John, with a twinkle in hi
eyes. We must see about it."
"Now, Cissy," said Miss Keziah, afte
breakfast, "put on your hat and just rul
about and see things on the farm
think you'd be better of if you went bare
foot FOR bit.
Cissy came nimbly out of the shoe an,
the slipper, and sprang Ike fawn owe
the soft, yielding grass in the dooryard
Flowers, sky and trees were all gloriou
wonder to her She fitted about in silen
happiness from roads TO fields, and fror
fields to the barns, thinking her ow
quaint little thoughts.
"Apr,esr she said, stopping be
meath a tree where the ground was strew
with windfal!s, Gent apiece Wonde
how much old Miss Flaherfy would g
for these2 Enough to buy some meat
s'pose. Oh. amt it rich here!n
She dabbed in the little brook benin
the house, and sat for a quarter of a
hour gazing at a wheatfeld with brow
butterflies lowering over it.
"Miss Keziah," she said, appearing {
the kitchen door, ''plcase can ] pick
few one or two-of them beautifl
white flowers with yellow eyes r.
"What daisies2 Mercy, yes all 70
can carrv.s And as she ran away, "T
think / was afraid l might harbor
thief Poor little waifW
A dav or two later, Cissy found plai
print dress and pair of calfskin sho,
beside her bed when she awoke. Vel
simple olothes they were, but she felt
new sense of dignity when she put the
on. She came down stairs with lit
skips and whacks on the bare staircas
Nov you look more like folks, " cor
mented Miss Keziah, peering at h
sharply.
"0h," sighed Cissy, stroking Il
crinkly folds, IT do wish Tom could S
me!-and mother" she added.
Walking up to the severe old lad
she said: "You are an awful lot like n
mother was. She used to care about n
clothes and be good to me ~
"You do beat all y said Miss Kezia
wiping her spectacles.
Later on, Cissy was walking slowly t